Chapter 25: Watanabe Musashi
"This guy... he's definitely a Jonin!"
Kael's heart skipped a beat, but a flicker of excitement followed. With a Jonin on their team, their chances against the Jashinists were significantly better. He knew that with the village's limited resources, the number of Jonin could be counted on one hand.
Inoshita looked at the calm, middle-aged man, his own expression growing serious as he introduced him to Kael. "This is the principal of our Ninja Academy, Watanabe Musashi. Of course, it's just a title. After all, he's a Jonin, and the village needs him in too many other places to let him be tied down by an administrative position."
Facing a Jonin, Kael reined in his usual casualness. He clasped his hands together and said respectfully, "It's an honor, Watanabe-jonin."
"Hn." A faint smile touched Watanabe Musashi's stern face, and he gave a slight nod. "Rino-sensei has told me about you. The genius of the academy. The strength of a Genin before you've even graduated, and you've signed contracts with some incredible Summoning Beasts. It was you who obtained that crucial piece of intelligence in Spring Meadow Town, allowing the village to stop the Jashinists' horrific plans. You probably don't even know this yet, but before you've even become a shinobi, you already have an A-rank mission on your record."
Kael was stunned. He turned to look at Inoshita.
"Yes, it was the Village Leader's decision. I just submitted the application for you," Inoshita said with a smile.
Kael nodded silently, a sense of gratitude welling up inside him. He knew Inoshita was paving the way for his future. The more A-rank missions a shinobi had on their record, the faster they could be promoted.
Before he could dwell on it, Watanabe Musashi spoke again. "From now on, I will be the captain of this squad. Our next mission is simple, but also very dangerous." He looked around at the group, his gaze lingering for a moment on Kael and Rei. Seeing their calm expressions, he nodded in satisfaction.
"Wherever the Jashinists appear in the Land of Hot Water, we will be there. When our other shinobi squads encounter an enemy they can't handle, we will be the first to provide support. I don't need to tell you how dangerous this mission is. If anyone wants to back out now, you have my permission..." His gaze drifted back to Kael and Rei, the implication clear.
Rei stared back at him, her eyes filled with determination.
Kael, on the other hand, let his actions speak for him.
"Little Wind!" he yelled, the force of his voice shaking the snow from the nearby trees.
WHOOSH!
A fierce wind howled past, sending a chill through the group. A massive eagle dove down from the sky.
Watanabe Musashi's eyebrows shot up. He stared at the eagle, whose wingspan was at least twenty meters, his body instinctively tensing. A sense of danger washed over him. This Summoning Beast could threaten him.
The other four instructors, besides Inoshita, also looked on in shock, their eyes wide with disbelief as the Wind Eagle rapidly approached.
BOOM!
A massive shadow blotted out the sun, and the eagle landed with a ground-shaking thud. A wave of snow and wind washed over them, and they all raised their hands to shield their faces.
Kael wiped the snow from his face and glared at the Wind Eagle. "Have you no sense? Can't you see how deep the snow is?!"
"Chirp, chirp, chirp!" the Wind Eagle screeched, raising its barrel-sized head.
"My fault, is it?" Kael's face darkened. He leaped onto the eagle's broad back and smacked it on its raised head.
SMACK!
"Don't get smart with me!"
"Chirp, chirp, chirp! Don't hit my head! Everyone's watching! Show some respect!"
Kael couldn't help but chuckle. An eagle that cared about its pride. What a strange world...
He turned and waved to the group below. "Everyone, get on!"
At his command, the Earthen Beetle, the Ironclad Hedgehog, and the Explosive Flies, who had been having fun burrowing with the Earth Dragon, all emerged from the ground, still clinging to their ride.
Looking at the lively, zoo-like scene, Inoshita and the others exchanged glances, their faces twitching. But they didn't hesitate. They were all skilled shinobi, and with a single leap, they were on the Wind Eagle's back.
Only Rei was left looking up at Kael with a pitiful expression. Even with the Wind Eagle lying flat on the ground, its back was still over four meters high, a difficult climb for her.
Kael smacked his forehead and quickly crouched down, extending his hand to her. "Come on!"
Rei took a running start, leaped into the air, and grabbed his hand. A powerful force pulled her upward, and she landed lightly on the eagle's back.
Seeing that everyone was ready, Captain Watanabe Musashi said in a low voice, "Kael, have your summon maintain an altitude of about two hundred meters. At that height, we'll be safe from ground-based ninjutsu, and we'll have a clear view of everything below."
"Got it," Kael nodded and gave the command to the Wind Eagle.
BOOM!
The Wind Eagle flapped its massive wings. The group on its back momentarily lost their balance, but before they could steady themselves, they were two hundred meters in the air.
"So fast!" Watanabe Musashi exclaimed, turning to look at Kael in amazement.
What could Kael do? He just gave him a modest smile. He then looked down at the rapidly receding landscape and felt a tightness in his chest, as if he couldn't breathe. He knew it was just the change in air pressure from the high-speed ascent; he would get used to it.
"This feeling..."
A faint, almost invisible membrane of wind enveloped the eagle's massive body. Kael gradually felt the wind resistance lessen. He slowly stood up, a look of pure excitement on his face. The world flew by beneath him. For the first time since coming to this world, Kael tasted a flavor called freedom.
Half a day later, in the western part of the Land of Hot Water.
"There's a large-scale battle below! Kael, take us down!" Captain Watanabe Musashi's urgent voice sounded in his ear. Kael frowned and gave the command.
"Down!"
The Wind Eagle, which had been flying at high speed, immediately tucked its head and dove toward the ground. In the next moment, they were a hundred meters from the ground, and the eagle began to slow its descent.
"The center of the battle is just ahead! I want to make one thing clear: the medical-nin does not go to the front lines! Your first priority is to protect yourself, then you can think about killing the enemy!" Watanabe Musashi said quickly, his voice clear even over the howling wind. He glanced at Rei's calm face. "Don't be ashamed. The medical-nin's place has always been at the rear of the battle. You have a rare talent for precise chakra control and are one of the village's few potential medical-nin. You must protect yourself at all costs!"
As the Wind Eagle slowed, the sound of the wind grew quieter, but Watanabe's voice grew more urgent. He quickly scanned the faces of Inoshita and the others.
"I will take the lead and break their formation! If there is an enemy Jonin, I will engage them immediately!"
"Kael!" he shouted, turning to him.
"Here!"
"You are the key to this special operations squad. The Wind Eagle is under your command, so your safety is paramount. Do not rush in recklessly, or you will be surrounded!"
"Yes, sir!" Kael replied, his own face serious. Hearing a Jonin's pre-battle commands for the first time, he felt something ignite within him.
Watanabe nodded and then looked at the five academy instructors. "All of you, maintain formation and protect Kael! The success of our future operations depends on his flying summon!"
"Yes, sir!" the five men replied in unison.
BOOM!
The group felt a slight jolt. Ten seconds had passed.
The Wind Eagle had landed.